Embryonic Development News and Research

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Embryonic development or embryogenesis is the process by which the embryo is formed and develops. It starts with the fertilization of the ovum, egg, which, after fertilization, is then called a zygote. The zygote undergoes rapid mitotic divisions, the formation of two exact genetic replicates of the original cell, with no significant growth (a process known as cleavage) and cellular differentiation, leading to development of an embryo.

Sunburn causes melanoma through direct and indirect processes

Melanoma is particularly dangerous because it can form metastases in vital organs such as the lungs, liver or brain. UV radiation is considered to be the most significant triggering factor.

3 Mar 2014

Researcher identifies ''conductor'' in development of muscle tissue

A team led by Jean-Fran-ois C-t-, researcher at the IRCM, identified a ''conductor'' in the development of muscle tissue. The discovery, published online yesterday by the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), could have an important impact on the treatment of muscular diseases such as myopathies and muscular dystrophies.

26 Feb 2014

Researchers examine how evolution relates to health

February 12 marks the birth of the 19th century naturalist Charles Darwin, who launched the scientific study of evolution. While Darwin's theory laid the groundwork, ongoing studies have deepened our understanding of evolution, including how it relates to health. Research funded by the National Institutes of Health has helped answer many questions about evolution, health and medicine. Here's a sampling.

12 Feb 2014

EMT program in human cells may provide an effective approach for treating triple-negative breast cancer

A new study led by University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center researcher Peter Zhou shows that targeting Twist, a nuclear protein that is an accelerant of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program in human cells, may provide an effective approach for treating triple-negative breast cancer.

12 Feb 2014

Neuroscientist, researchers receive Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science

The Vilcek Foundation is pleased to name Thomas M. Jessell as the winner of the 2014 Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science. Awarded annually, the Vilcek Prizes honor the contributions of immigrants to the American arts and sciences, and include $100,000 cash awards.

30 Jan 2014

BioTime: OncoCyte initiates clinical development of bladder cancer diagnostic test in U.S, China

BioTime, Inc. and its subsidiary OncoCyte Corporation today announced that OncoCyte has initiated clinical development of its bladder cancer diagnostic test in both the United States and China.

28 Jan 2014

Scientists provide new insights into molecular regulation of stem cell differentiation

The findings of the scientists of the Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research (IDR) at Helmholtz Zentrum München (HMGU) provide new insights into the molecular regulation of stem cell differentiation.

25 Jan 2014

Researchers reveal role of extra thymus gland in the network of body's natural defense systems

The thymus gland is a critical component of the human immune system that is responsible for the development of T-lymphocytes, or T-cells, which help organize and lead the body's fighting forces against harmful organisms like bacteria and viruses.

24 Jan 2014

TSRI study shows how aging affects brain's neural circuitry

How aging affects communication between neurons is not well understood, a gap that makes it more difficult to treat a range of disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

23 Jan 2014

BioTime subsidiary releases version 1.5 of LifeMap Discovery

LifeMap Sciences, Inc., a subsidiary of BioTime, Inc., announced today the release of LifeMap Discovery version 1.5. LifeMap Discovery is a state-of-the-art roadmap of embryonic development and stem cell biology.

18 Jan 2014

IRCM researchers show importance of DNA architecture in controlling activity of genes

A study conducted by Marie Kmita's team at the IRCM, in collaboration with Jos-e Dostie at McGill University, shows the importance of the chromatin architecture in controlling the activity of genes, especially those required for proper embryonic development.

17 Jan 2014

Fetal exposure to Bisphenol A can increase risk for prostate cancer later in life

Fetal exposure to a commonly used plasticizer found in products such as water bottles, soup can liners and paper receipts can increase the risk for prostate cancer later in life, according to a study from the University of Illinois at Chicago published Jan. 7 online in the journal Endocrinology.

8 Jan 2014

University of Utah discovers cellular mechanism that stops metastasis of breast cancer

Researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah discovered a cellular mechanism that drives the spread of breast cancer to other parts of the body (metastasis), as well as a therapy which blocks that mechanism. The research results were published online in the journal Cell Reports on January 2.

3 Jan 2014

Four U.S. researchers to receive grants to improve cognition in individuals living with Down syndrome

The Scientific Advisory Board of the Jerome Lejeune Foundation USA has recommended 4 U.S. researchers to receive grants from the Foundation for its second funding cycle of 2013.

15 Dec 2013

Polyunsaturated fatty acids play key role in embryonic development

One classical question in developmental biology is how different tissue types arise in the correct position of the developing embryo. While one signaling pathway that controls this process has been well described, unexpected findings from a team led by Carnegie's Steven Farber reveal the importance of polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism in this process. It is published online December 12 in Developmental Cell.

13 Dec 2013

Researchers show biophysical factors that contribute to the strength of heartbeat

The heart maintains a careful balancing act; too soft and it won't pump blood, but too hard and it will overtax itself and stop entirely. There is an optimal amount of strain that a beating heart can generate and still beat at its usual rate, once per second.

12 Dec 2013

Blocking Cdh1 protein could accelerate development of new therapies targeting cancer

The laboratory of Marcos Malumbres, who is head of the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre's (CNIO) Cell Division & Cancer Group, working alongside Isabel Fari-as' team from the University of Valencia, shows, in a study published today in the journal Nature Communications, how in mice the elimination of the Cdh1 protein -a sub-unit of the APC/C complex, involved in the control of cell division-prevents cellular proliferation of rapidly dividing cells.

5 Dec 2013

Researchers find way to replace Paneth cells with two small molecules that maintain stem cells

Researchers at MIT and Brigham and Women's Hospital have shown that they can grow unlimited quantities of intestinal stem cells, then stimulate them to develop into nearly pure populations of different types of mature intestinal cells. Using these cells, scientists could develop and test new drugs to treat diseases such as ulcerative colitis.

3 Dec 2013

Researchers identify new way to improve heart repair

Researchers from the Baylor College of Medicine and the Texas Heart Institute have discovered a new way to dramatically improve heart repair. The future goal is to use this knowledge to combat human cardiovascular disease by improving repair after a heart attack. The research has just been published in the scientific journal Development.

20 Nov 2013

Carl-Philipp Heisenberg group detects mechanism in cell division relevant for closing wounds

Spreading of the epithelial cell layer is fundamental for epithelial closure and wound healing, as well as for embryonic development. The challenge presented here is that the cell layer needs to increase in surface area, but nevertheless maintain its integrity.

16 Nov 2013